UCLA Women’s Team Triumphs with a Stunning Victory Over Purdue

UCLA Women’s Basketball Dominates Purdue in 96-48 Victory

The UCLA women’s basketball team continued its impressive performance on Wednesday night, securing a dominant 96-48 victory over Purdue at Pauley Pavilion. This decisive win followed a notable 30-point triumph against then-No. 12 Maryland, marking UCLA’s largest margin of victory over a top-15 opponent since 1992.

Ranked third nationally, the Bruins improved their record to 18-1 overall and 8-0 in the Big Ten, claiming their 12th consecutive win and moving one step closer to the program record of 23 consecutive victories set last season. This commanding 48-point win is part of a streak, as they have now won six games by 18 points or more, allowing them to take sole possession of first place in the conference, ahead of Iowa.

All five starters scored in double digits, with Gabriela Jaquez leading the way with 25 points on an impressive 10-for-11 shooting performance. Lauren Betts contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Kiki Rice and Charlisse Leger-Walker each added 15 points. Gianna Kneepkens rounded out the scoring with 14 points.

“The scoring runs we had are a result of a season high in deflections,” UCLA head coach Cori Close stated, noting that the team also made 13 three-pointers and held a significant 32-8 advantage in points off turnovers. “It wasn’t our best game. I’m proud of where we’re going, but we have a lot of growing to do.”

Rice’s strong performance included 15 points and five rebounds before halftime, during which she went eight for eight from the free-throw line. Kneepkens made three of four attempts from beyond the arc, contributing to a commanding 46-20 lead at the intermission—the fewest points allowed in a first half by UCLA since a game against Cal Poly in December.

The Bruins extended their lead to 30 points by the end of the third quarter and opened the fourth with a 7-0 run, maintaining their perfect home record.

“I’m proud of our guards for shooting those threes and making them,” Betts said. “It’s so hard for other teams to guard us when we’re hitting from the perimeter.”

This week’s Associated Press Top 25 poll features eight Big Ten schools, including UCLA at No. 3, alongside Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State, Michigan State, Maryland, Nebraska, and Washington. Only the Southeastern Conference boasts a greater representation with nine teams.

“Rankings don’t mean that much to us,” Betts remarked. “We have our own standard and try to compete at our highest level every time.”

Jaquez, who was three for three from long range, credited Betts for creating opportunities. “Lauren is a great passer and gets me good shots. When you get in a rhythm and see the ball go in the basket a couple times, it gives you the confidence to keep shooting,” she said.

The team honored the legacy of its 1977-78 championship squad by wearing throwback jerseys, reinforcing aspirations for a second national title in April should their current performance level continue.

Close emphasized, “We want to honor the players and teams who came before us. More importantly, we want to play in a way that honors them.”

For Purdue, Nya Smith led with 14 points, followed by Avery Gordon with 13 and Tara Daye with 10. The Boilermakers fell to 10-9 overall and 2-6 in the conference, suffering their third consecutive loss to UCLA and dropping to a 2-4 record all-time against the Bruins.

“If you play defense, your offense is a whole lot easier,” Close noted, acknowledging occasional lapses in execution.

Meanwhile, Betts continues to encourage her sister Sienna, who had six points in 17 minutes of play. “She’s not going to get all the same looks that she did in high school,” Lauren stated. “That’s OK. She’s good enough to be on this team and she will get more comfortable the more she plays.”

UCLA will kick off a two-game road trip on Sunday at Northwestern.